By Yassira Huarcaya

Communication in Explorer is made up of words, phrases, sounds, and gestures. All of this condenses into conversations that, from the outside, are fun to listen to but difficult to understand. You can’t always tell what they’re referring to and what they want to talk about—but clarity is not the main goal of these exchanges. So, what do we adults who accompany them do? A lot of observation, patience, and creative thinking.

Let me share an anecdote. The other day, I was about to read a story to one of the Pumas, and she kept closing the book. I asked if she really wanted me to read it, and she said yes. I opened the book again, read the title, and turned to the first page—but she closed it once more. I paused and handed her the book so she could show me what was off. She adjusted herself, took the book, “read” the title, flipped to the title page inside, and said a phrase of which I only caught the last word: “paz.” I looked down and realized the authors were Andrea y Claudia Paz. I smiled, read the authors’ names out loud—and she nodded with an “uh-hmm,” finally satisfied that I’d understood. And then, she let me proceed with the reading.

I’ve seen puzzled faces from people following along my conversations with these young Pumas. Sometimes evenI don't understand what they are trying to tell me. When that happens, I lean into gestures and mime.

So how do we foster language and speech? I speak clearly and naturally all morning—except during playtime, when I switch to that gentle tone adults use with knee-high children. During care and bonding moments, I narrate what’s happening, what I’m doing, and name the Puma's reactions. This opens up questions, whether spoken or gestured.

Language—verbal or not—emerges from the need to connect: to express frustration, anger, needs, or simply to share. Our space must invite Pumas to reach out to each other, rather than rely on an adult who will undoubtedly be used as a translator.